One million old meters have been replaced with smart electricity meters across the nation in the past three years and the same number will be substituted by the end of the current fiscal that started in March, head of the National Smart Metering Program (known as Faham in Persian) said.
“Around 90% of energy-intensive units in agro sector, industries and commercial units have been equipped with smart meters since 2017,” Hadi Modaqeq was quoted as saying by ISNA.
Energy-intensive units (heavy consumers) are those with (power) consumption is at least 30 kilowatt hours.
The Energy Ministry says close to 70% of consumers are in the average 300-kilowatt hour bracket per month, which is set as a basic consumption model.
The number of electricity meters nationwide in household, agro and industrial sectors now exceeds 36.7 million. It was 34 million in 2017.
“About 1 million new meters are added to the national power grid annually, all of which are smart.”
A smart meter is a modern electricity meter that digitally sends meter readings to energy suppliers. It ensures more accurate energy bills. Smart meters also come with monitors, so users can better understand their energy usage.
“The new meters helped save 1,000 megawatt, 2 GW and 3 GW of electricity in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.”
New devices put an end to the manual meter reading, which is prone to technical error and loss. Thanks to the new system, subscribers can be informed about their daily use and be notified in case of excessive consumption.
Utilities in many developed and developing countries are promoting the advanced electricity meters for a variety of economic and environmental reasons, namely to cut costs and reduce consumption.
Gaining Momentum
Modaqeq said that the initiative (Faham) gained momentum in 2019 following an agreement between the government-affiliated Power Generation, Distribution and Transmission Company (Tavanir) and SATKAB, a subsidiary of the Energy Ministry.
The contract entails production and installation of five million smart meters in the agro, industrial, commercial and household sectors by 2023. The company is obliged to deliver 100,000 meters every two months.
“The agriculture sector has a priority because placing the new system on wells will help the Ministry efficiently monitor not only power use but also water extraction from depleting underground tables.” SATKAB provides investment and consultancy to water, power and wastewater industries.
Conservationists say programs like Faham are temporary solutions to cut consumption and much more needs to be done to reduce energy demand.
"We need a complete paradigm shift to inspire consumers to change their [high] consumption patterns," Modaqeq said, noting that promoting awareness is not enough.
Avoiding Blackouts
In related news, ISNA quoted Mostafa Rajabi Mashhadi, spokesman for the Energy Ministry, as saying that cooling systems account for 40% of total power consumption in the hot season and adjusting air conditioners to the global standard of 25 degrees can help avoid blackouts improvised to conserve electricity when supply is low.
Consumption peaked (again) to an all-time high of 58,284 megawatts on Sunday, up 2,000 MW compared to the same day in 2019. Last year the highest peak demand was 57,800 MW.
To assist power supply during peak hours (between 12 noon and 6 p.m.) all cooling systems in state organizations are shut after 12 pm. Nonetheless, the rising temperature has undermined the plan and demand exceeds supply.
“Rolling blackouts (load shedding) are on Tavanir’s agenda as the last resort to help balance supply and demand.”
The mercury in Tehran and other cities with relatively moderate climate has surpassed 38 degrees Celsius in the past several days and the weatherman has forecast more heat for the weekend.
Khuzestan is sizzling with 51 degrees heat and state organizations and companies have been shut.
